Home Health Care

Abstract

The home health care includes the treatment offered to patients at a place other than the hospital. This research paper aims at discussion of home health care with perspective of public policy of United States. The changes in the health care from time to time are discussed in detail. In the final phase of the paper, the evolution of home health care and its public policies are discussed in chronological order.

Home Health Care

Introduction

Many health care treatments that were once offered only in hospital or doctor's office can now be done in home. Home health care is mainly for patients that needs the consideration of a physical, occupational or a nurse on a part time basis, but does not need the patient to be hospitalized. In home health care, the patients are homebound and have difficulty in availing the outbound patient care service. Home health care is a momentous factor in keeping patients out of the hospital (Book & Holtz-Eakin, 2013). More specifically, home health care may also include skilled nursing and speech therapy. Services may also include assistance from a home health aide or medical social services with monitoring of patients daily routine of prescription and over the counter medications (Intrepid USA, 2013). In United States, there are number of home health care agencies that coordinate the services that doctor orders for their patients.

Discussion

Future of Home Health Care

By 2050, estimation about 27 people will be in need of some type of long term care. Of those 27 million, the majority will receive the long term care in the community. Hospice and home health care agencies are the major providers of community based long term care. At present, about 7.6 million people are receiving this community based long term care to help with chronic and post acute conditions, terminal issues or even disabilities. This number is expected to increase with an increase ages of people. Older Americans will constitute a larger percentage in the future like it was 12% in 2006 and is expected to grow by 2030 to the percentage of 20% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). In U.S., the majority of people using home health and hospice care services are over the age of 65 years (NHH&HCS, 2000). Most of them are suffering with multiple chronic conditions and home health care services are enabling them to receive the care their home and communities.

According to National Home and Hospice Care Survey (2000), In United States, the rate of home health care for women of age group of 65 and over was 55% higher than the rate for men. The rate of home health care use among women age group 65-74 was about 60% higher than the men of that age group. The rate of home health care for women of aged 85 years and over was 22% higher than the rate of men in that age group. This illustrates that the women of United States use home health care in greater percentage then men ...